Quick Answer
Yes, red-breasted nuthatches do come to bird feeders. These small songbirds are common visitors to feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and other nutritious foods. They can be attracted to feeders year-round across much of their range.
Do Red-breasted Nuthatches Visit Feeders?
Red-breasted nuthatches are a regular sight at bird feeders for many backyard bird enthusiasts. These active little birds are common feeder visitors throughout their range, especially in winter.
Some key facts about red-breasted nuthatches at feeders:
- They are attracted to feeders stocked with sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and other high-fat foods.
- They often wedge seeds into bark crevices to “cache” food for later use.
- They may visit feeders year-round, but are more likely in winter when natural food is scarce.
- They prefer feeders placed near or attached to trees, using the trunk and branches for support.
- Feeders with small perches or mesh screens suit them well.
With the right feeder set-up, red-breasted nuthatches may remain frequent visitors at your backyard feeding station for much of the winter. Their active movements and vocalizations bring energy and entertainment.
What Do Red-breasted Nuthatches Eat?
Red-breasted nuthatches are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and seeds from conifer trees. Their natural diet includes:
- Insects: beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and other insects found on tree trunks and branches.
- Seeds & Nuts: pine and spruce seeds are staples, also hazelnuts, acorns, and other seeds.
- Sap: they feed on tree sap, especially from sapsucker drillings.
- Suet: rendered fat from animals provides fat and protein.
At backyard bird feeders, they gravitate towards foods that match their natural diet. Black oil sunflower seeds are favorites, along with suet, peanuts, and chopped nuts. Offering a range of nuts and seeds will increase their visits.
Favorite Foods at Feeders
Here are some of the best foods to offer red-breasted nuthatches:
- Black oil sunflower seeds
- Suet and suet blends
- Peanuts
- Chopped walnuts, almonds, pecans
- Pine and spruce seeds
- Sunflower chips
- Suet nuggets or berries
- Peanut butter
- Mealworms
Nuthatches prefer high-calorie foods with lots of fat and protein. Offering suet, nuts, and sunflower seeds will provide the energy and nutrition they need, especially in winter.
When Do Red-breasted Nuthatches Visit Feeders?
Red-breasted nuthatches may visit feeders year-round across much of their range, but they are much more likely to appear in winter when food is scarce.
Here are some insights on when these birds frequent backyard feeders:
- Winter: They are regular feeder visitors from late fall through early spring across most of North America.
- Spring & Summer: Numbers decline at feeders as they move to breeding areas and can find more natural foods.
- Fall Migration: They stop at feeders more often during fall migration movements.
- Irruptive Years: In years when their populations “irrupt” south, winter feeder visits increase dramatically.
- All Year in Some Areas: In coniferous mountainous areas, they may regularly visit feeders year-round.
While they certainly appreciate feeders in the lean months from November to March, don’t be surprised to see red-breasted nuthatches occasionally in other months too. They are opportunistic and will take advantage of an easy meal.
Feeder Designs They Prefer
Red-breasted nuthatches have unique feeding habits and behaviors. They often hang upside-down, wedge seeds into crevices, and make dizzying acrobatic moves. Certain feeder designs work best to accommodate them:
- Tube Feeders – Long tubes with small, short perches are ideal for them. They can easily cling and move about.
- Mesh Feeders – Metal mesh feeders allow them to cling anywhere and access seeds.
- Suet Feeders – Offer suet in cages, plugs, and logs with tailored tail-prop perches.
- Platform Feeders – Open trays or platforms allow them to freely shuffle through seeds.
- Hopper Feeders – Any hopper feeder with a tail-prop area will work well.
Avoid feeders with large, flat perches. They prefer ones tailored to their unique clinging, hanging, and tail-propping feeding style. Placement near or on trees is also ideal.
Feeder Location Tips
To encourage red-breasted nuthatches to visit your yard, follow these feeder placement guidelines:
- Place feeders near or directly on pine, spruce, or other conifer trees. They prefer feeding in conifers.
- Mount feeders about 5-10 feet off the ground. This provides safety while allowing room to maneuver underneath.
- Avoid swaying feeders. They like sturdy feeders that don’t move or swing.
- Ensure a clear flight path so they can easily approach the feeder.
- Add a suet feeder on a tree trunk within 5 feet of standard seed feeders.
Positioning feeders properly allows red-breasted nuthatches to feel safe and capitalize on their unique feeding abilities. With good placement near conifers, they will happily entertain with their acrobatics!
Landscaping to Attract Red-breasted Nuthatches
Beyond feeders, you can landscape your yard to attract red-breasted nuthatches by:
- Planting conifers: Add native pines, spruces, firs, junipers, or cedars. They prefer feeding in conifers.
- Preserving dead trees and snags: They search for insects in the crevices of dead wood.
- Reducing garden pesticides: Decrease chemicals so insects thrive for them to feed on.
- Proving brush piles: Brush piles create cover and contain insects for them to eat.
- Growing native plants: Berry bushes, oak trees, and native conifers provide natural food sources.
By mimicking their natural habitat, your yard will not only attract red-breasted nuthatches, but provide essential food and cover they need to thrive.
What Are Red-breasted Nuthatches’ Favorite Foods at Feeders?
Food | Why They Like It |
---|---|
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds | High in fat and protein |
Suet | Provides fat and calories |
Peanuts | Rich source of protein |
Chopped nuts | Good source of fat |
Pine and spruce seeds | Familiar natural food |
Red-breasted nuthatches seek out fatty, protein-rich foods at feeders that provide energy and mirror their natural diet. Offering sunflower, suet, and nuts will satisfy their needs and encourage repeat visits.
When are Red-breasted Nuthatches Most Likely to Visit Feeders?
Season | Likelihood at Feeders |
---|---|
Winter | Very common |
Spring | Uncommon, occasional visits |
Summer | Rare, more natural food available |
Fall | Frequent during migration |
Red-breasted nuthatches rely on backyard bird feeders the most in winter when natural food is limited. While uncommon in summer, they may visit feeders year-round in some parts of their range.
Conclusion
Red-breasted nuthatches are entertaining and acrobatic feeder birds that bring activity and energy. Stock up on their preferred foods like sunflower seeds, suet, and peanuts to attract them through the winter. With proper feeder placement near conifers and a landscape that mimics their natural habitat, you’re sure to enjoy regular visits from these delightful birds all season long. Watching a red-breasted nuthatch scurry down a tree trunk or hang upside-down from a feeder is a true joy for backyard birdwatchers.